BROADCAST BLOG (AUG. 24, 2017)

Aug 24, 2017

Hey Barracuda fans! Nick Nollenberger here. It’s another week, which means it’s time for another blog. The taco-eating contest was a success. I ate 16 tacos in 8 minutes, and I don’t think I came in last (But I can’t officially confirm)… Sure, I was only 78 tacos behind the winner Joey Chestnut, but who’s counting.

On Friday, the offseason tour continues, I’ll be throwing out the first pitch at the San Jose Giants game along with our mascot Frenzy for Barracuda night.

After this first pitch a couple weeks back (Video to the left), the bar has been set pretty low at every ballpark in America, so I’m feeling pretty confident…

Back to hockey! Big news from the Sharks on Wednesday as they released their Prospect Tournament roster (click HERE), which features some familiar faces if you followed the Barracuda last year.

Tim Clifton, Jon Martin, Colby McAuley, Alex Schoenborn, Noah Rod, Michael Brodzinski, Nick DeSimone and Jacob Middleton all spent time with the 'Cuda last year and will be playing in the four-day tournament against the Colorado Avalanche, Anaheim Ducks, and Arizona Coyotes prospects.

If you didn’t make the Prospect Scrimmage at SAP Center on July 6th, the Prospects Tournament will be another chance to see a few players that are expected to be with the Barracuda in 2017-18. Including Rudolfs Balcers, Filip Sandberg, Alexander True, Manuel Wiederer, Cavan Fitzgerald, Jeremy Roy, and Radim Simek.

Several 2017 Sharks draft picks will also be competing for Team Teal during the four-day tournament (Ivan Chekhovich, Sasha Chmelevski, and Jacob McGrew).

All games will be broadcast live on SJSharks.com. Click HERE for complete tournament details.

More so than in the NHL, the AHL is a year-to-year league that features constant turnaround, which makes it extremely hard to have sustained success. In 2017-18, the Barracuda have a chance to alter that narrative. Core returners and an influx of young additions may again result in the perfect recipe. But before training camp and the season begins the Prospect Tournament is going to provide a measuring stick for several players. Especially returners Alex Schoenborn, Jon Martin, and Michael Brodzinski, all three split time between San Jose (AHL) and Allen last year. Having played pro for entire season, I expect all three to stick out over the four days. Schoenborn and Martin can intimidate physically, while Brodzinski’s offensive game will fit perfectly on Roy Sommer's power play.

I'm excited to see you all there on Sept. 9 when the tournament kicks off at Solar4America Ice.